London Lovin’ : A Couple that Inspired Me

After a long, beautiful day in Cambridge we got back on the train but since we all couldn’t find seats together so some of us split up. We finally all sat and took a sigh of relief and got ready for the 45 minute train ride ahead. I had the honor and privilege to sit next to a beautiful couple.

I could not tell you their names. I could not tell you how we ended up sitting next to each other. But I can say that it is something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Talking to them made me smile inside and out and one could see just how much they loved each other. They told me they have been married for 47 years…heart melted.

I asked them a lot of questions and found out:

They both studied at Oxford, though they did not meet there. Both became doctors, the husband was a diabetes doctor and the wife was a blood doctor. They both met at the hospital. They have two children and four grandchildren. One of their children lives in East London and the other lives in Cambridge. They were on the train coming back from Cambridge after watching their grandchildren until their mother got home. The joy in their faces depicted the love they had for their family and the blessings they were grateful for. They said they go a couple times a month.

I continued to talk to them about everything from plays to the wife and I’s common fear of birds. I told them I was from California and later asked if they had ever been to “the States.” They said they had been to New York, Boston, and good ol’ California-where I am from. They traveled to San Francisco, Yosemite and near UCLA, which is right where I live. We also talked about the Getty Museum and the incredible views. Having been to the same museum I couldn’t help but wonder if we were there at the same time, have I passed by these beautiful people before? I thought of how I commonly walk by people to get to my next destination, whether on the busy underground or going to my next class at school, maybe if I took more time to get to know others I would be able to see more beauty in other people.

Before we left the train, I had to tell them somehow that they inspired me but the words could not come out of my mouth. So I got out a clean Pret  A Manger napkin and a pen from my purse and began to write (and said something like this):

Your love is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. 

I wish you and your beautiful family nothing but the best.

I hope to find a love like yours one day. 

Enjoy J

Such an incredible experience and a reminder to take time to talk to others.

This experience reminded me of one of my favorite songs by Elton John, Your Song:

“I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world”

Though this is not the couple I saw on the train, it is a depiction of their friendship and love that inspired me.

Photo Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRQMpXwG9eApL_FYV8gt7kpbMSUISZA9S859U_wC4DU04RFx-jolA